TexMessage

Wednesday, January 30

Good morning, TexMessagers! Do you think the Boy Scouts of America will lift its ban on gays?

TEXclusive

Yesterday, Boy Scouts of America announced it may finally be ending its policy to leave out the homosexual community, which would be a big disappointment for Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Perry outlined his devotion to the boys scouts in his book, On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts Are Worth Fighting For. The book advocates for maintaining conservative values in the face of a “culture war.” A quote from Newt Gingrich on the inside cover reads:

“In ‘On My Honor’ Texas Governor Rick Perry examines the left’s attacks on a venerable American institution that has a profound impact on the values and virtues of young Americans: The Boy Scouts of America.”

The book makes Perry’s stance on the issue clear. Only closeted gays should be active in the Scouts, the governor insisted.

“Openly active gays, particularly advocates, present a problem. Because gay activism is central to their lives, it would unavoidably be a topic of conversation within a Scout troop. This would distract from the mission of Scouting: character building, not sex education.”

The “culture war” Gov. Perry warns his readers of could be lost as soon as next week, when the proposed policy shift is discussed in Irving.